SEVERUS SC have one hand on the John Smith's York Sunday Morning Football League division one championship trophy after victory at Selby Olympia saw them open up a ten-point lead at the top.

Moss, McShane, Lake and Jones all scored as Severus, in their first season in the top flight, won 4-1.

Hounds look to be the only team who can possibly catch Severus after they thrashed champions Nestl Rowntree 6-1 with gaols from Jackson (4, including a five-minute hat-trick), Bills and Tucker. Wash scored for Rowntrees who held Hounds to 1-1 at half-time.

Severus and Hounds meet each other on April 4 in what could be the title decider.

Marcia drubbed New Earswick 7-0 with Anthony Weatherell grabbing a hat-trick.

Lee Bond and Matty White gave Volunteer Arms a 2-0 lead at Pocklington but the home side rallied through Scott Silburn (2) and Charles Bond to take all three points.

Acomb WMC boosted their hopes of avoiding the drop with a 3-1 win over fellow relegation candidates Derwent United. Acomb goals were netted by Powell, Cooper and Paul Barker, the latter from 35 yards. Derwent missed a penalty before Wilford gave them a late consolation.

Division two table-toppers Wigginton Grasshoppers crashed 4-0 at home to Bridge Colts whose goals came from Small (2), Browne and Willmoth.

Blacksmiths Arms moved within five points with a 8-3 win over Five Lions with Newton, Hinds and Winters all scoring twice.

David Thompson scored twice for York Nomads but it wasn't enough as Kendall, O'Donnell, Stamp and Dyson gave Nestl Flag a 4-2 victory.

Thorpe United can still gain promotion despite their points deduction after a 3-1 win at Acomb SC thanks to goals from Woods (pen), Joblin and Singleton, Vinnie Wray netting for Acomb.

Hemingbrough hold a ten-point lead in division three after beating Inland Revenue 3-2 thanks to Matty Williams' hat-trick. The taxmen, whose goals both came from Ingram, should have taken something from the game but missed two penalties.

Boot & Slipper are second from bottom but could still gain promotion as only six points separate them from second place. They did themselves a huge favour by beating Turpin FC 4-1 thanks to Goddard (2) and Pipe (2). Karl Slater netted for Turpin.

Honours were even when the top two in division five met with Littlewood, Lambton and Simpson scoring for Real Way Station in a 3-3 draw against Hambleton.

Barlby went into second spot with a 6-3 win at Kings Arms with Hughes netting twice.

The Plough continued their run with a 5-1 win at Raskelf, Connell (3) and Bedford (2), scoring.

Ian Rankeillor grabbed a hat-trick as Acomb Celtic eased themselves away from the bottom with a 5-0 win at Heworth, Woof and Abel netted the others. Charlton also bagged a treble as Shoulder of Mutton won 8-1 at Beeswing.

Britannia's charge towards the title hit the buffers as they lost 2-0 at home to their main challengers, Selby Olympia WMC Reserves.

Thomas and Peach both scored twice as Black Swan won 4-3 at Enterprise whose goals came from Bell, Nicholson and Coggan. Burton Stone won 3-2 at Kingsway Riders with goals from Cassidy, Smith and Williams.

Wilberfoss still harbour title hopes after their 5-2 win over Gipsy Moth thanks to goals from Murr (2), J Parkin (2) and Hodgson.

Updated: 09:28 Friday, March 12, 2004